Hong Kong and Serbia enter into tax pact
On 28 August, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, signed a comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreement (CDTA) with Serbia. The
See MorePhilippines: Committee on Ways and Means submits a Bill regarding DST services
On 18 August 2020, the Committee on Ways and Means submitted a Bill, House Bill No. 7425 to the House of Representatives, which would serve as a substitute Bill of all the previous bills on the digital transactions tax. The Bill proposed to impose
See MoreTaiwan: NTBCA reminds profit-seeking enterprises to timely file tax returns
On 31 August 2020, Taiwan’s National Taxation Bureau of the Central Area (NTBCA) has issued a press release prescribing that profit-seeking enterprises should file annual income tax returns within the prescribed period to avoid delinquent
See MoreSouth Korea: National Tax Service investigates MNEs tax evasion
On 27 August 2020, the South Korean National Tax Service has announced that it has initiated a tax audit on 21 multinational enterprises (MNEs) suspected of cross-border and committing tax evasion and 22 offshore tax evasion suspects, including
See MoreNew Zealand: Inland Revenue releases guidance on transfer pricing amid COVID-19
Recently, New Zealand’s Inland (IR) Revenue has released guidance regarding practice issues for transfer pricing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has created an impact on specific sectors and businesses substantially. The
See MoreThailand: Special tax relief measures for SME sector
The Thai Ministry of Finance has released the Royal Decree No. 707 and 708 regarding tax relief measures for SMEs in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, with effect from 13 July 2020. The Royal Decree No. 707 permits eligible SMEs that affected
See MorePakistan: FBR approves the Audit Policy 2019
On 26 August 2020, the Pakistan Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) announced the approval of the Audit Policy 2019. The Audit Policy 2019 shall apply to persons or classes of persons falling under all or any of the three domestic Federal Tax Statutes
See MoreTaiwan: MOF announces draft amendments to transfer pricing guidelines
On 18 August 2020, Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) has announced draft amendments to certain transfer pricing provisions based on chapter 6 of the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations. The
See MoreAustralia: ATO finalized guidance on the arm’s length debt test
On 12 August 2020, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) released its finalized practical guidance dealing with the application of the arm’s length debt test (ALDT) which applies as one of the options for determining deductibility of interest and
See MoreMalaysia ratifies BEPS multilateral convention (MLI)
On 4 August 2020, Malaysia published the Official Gazette PU (A) 224/2020 of 13 July 2020 providing ratification announcement of the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent BEPS (MLI), by way of the Double
See MoreThailand declares additional 150% deduction amid Covid-19 pandemic
The Thai Royal Decrees No. 695 and 698 announced a tax relief measure in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Decrees permitted an additional 150% deduction to companies and juristic partnerships for certain investments made in new machinery and
See MoreIndia: CBDT publishes guidance on mutual agreement procedure (MAP)
On 7 August 2020, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has published new Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) Guidance. The Guidance comprises of four sections, including: (A) introduction and basic information; (B) access and denial of
See MoreHong Kong: Tax relief measures for taxpayers facing difficulties in setting tax bills
On 12 August 2020, the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department announced that taxpayers who encounter financial difficulties in settling their tax bills on time may apply to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) for payment of tax by instalments before
See MoreMalaysia publishes updated guide on digital services tax
On 1 August 2020, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department issued an updated guide on digital services by foreign service providers. The Updated Guide replaced the earlier version dated 20 August 2019. Effective 1st January 2020, service tax
See MoreSri Lanka: Notice on first installment of tax payment for YA 2020-21
On 12 August 2020, Inland Revenue Department (IRD) issued a tax notice related to first installment of tax payment for the year of assessment (YA) 2020-21, required to be paid by individuals, partnerships, companies, which is due on 15 August
See MoreIndonesia: MLI enters into force
On 22 July 2020, OECD has published the updated position of signatories’ countries regarding the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MLI). Accordingly, MLI entered into
See MoreTaiwan: MOF exempts from provisional income tax payment
On 31 July 2020, Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) has issued a ruling prescribing that certain profit-seeking enterprises may apply for the exemption from their provisional income tax payment during the period from 15 January 2020 until 30 June
See MorePhilippines: Bureau of Internal Revenue issues a Circular regarding new RPT form
On 29 July 2020, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 76-2020, which addresses the frequently asked questions regarding the submission of Related Party Transaction (BIR Form No. 1709, or RPT) Form, and its
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